I'll Be Seeing You

A State of War

It's September the third and something is brewing it's the deadlines today the words that no body wants to hear that we are at war please God say that it isn't, there's been so much talk about what will happen. This Hitler is an absolute mad man and has ideas and plans that are just ridiculous. But the only thing I can't get out of my head is that if there is a war they will call up all young men to fight and that means Jimmy they can't take my Jimmy away from me it's not fair and I can't talk about it to anyone as they will find out how I really feel about him and that we have been seeing each other. What a mess.

Apparently the Prime Minister is to give a broadcast over the wireless Dad has told everyone to come round to the pub to hear it Jimmy is coming with his Mum, Dad and brother so at least we will be together when we hear the news. Mum is a little brighter than she has been these last few weeks and has managed to get up today and come down to the bar while I'm getting everything ready to open up. Dad has gone to the brewery to pay his bill and give them his next order.

"Phoebe love come and sit with me a minute would you" Mum says as she sits at one of the tables in the snug. "Whats the matter Mum are you feeling poorly" I ask her "No darling I just want to talk to you" she says "Come on come and sit with your Mam" so I pop my duster and polish down and sit with her as she takes my hands in hers "Phoebe darling I want you to be honest with me and I'm not angry or anything like that just tell me the truth" she says "is there something going on between you and Jimmy" she asks I swear my heart misses a beat she knows I think she has all along "Mum what do you mean" I say to her trying to make out I don't knwo what she's on about "Phoebe I'm not stupid darling are you and Jimmy in love" she says my god she knows it all I jump up off my seat pulling my hands from her "Mum please" I say "Love I'm not having a go at ya but I've noticed it" she says "Noticed what" I snap at her "The way you are together the way you can't take your eyes off each other when he's here and even when he aint you beam like a cheshire cat if anyone even mentions his name" I'm angry but I know deep down she is right "Sit down Phoebe and let me finish girl" she says "Love something bad is about to happen I know it is and I need to know that you will be safe" she says "Mum what are you talking about" I ask her "Do you love Jimmy" she asks again I just nod at her "How long has it been going on" she asks "Two years" I tell her "I thought as much" she says she's known all along she gives me a concerned look like she gave me when I was a little girl asking if i'd done something bad "Phoebe have you gone to bed with him love" "No I haven't Mum" I shout at her disgusted that she asked "I had to ask love he's waited this long it shows he's serious about you" He is Mum he's been saving up so we can get a house together we want to be together" I tell her "Then marry him" she says "What" I shout "I dont know how long I've got left darling I really don't I don't want you to be in your fathers clutches for ever, marry Jimmy and break free love for me" she says "But Mum I" i start "He does want to marry you don't he" she asks "Well yes" I say "So do it run off and get married then your father can't do a thing about it" she says "Then you will be his, you'll be his wife your Dad can't touch you anymore" she says "But I can't just leave you" I say to her "Don't worry about me love I'll be fine" she says I'm suddenly sobbing and so is she "Phoebe you're my only child my little girl I want you to be happy not make the same mistakes that I did, Jimmy is a lovely lad he will make you happy I know he will" she says I can hear some commotion it must be Dad "PHOEBE" I hear him shout. Mum grabs me again "Promise me Phobe please promise me you will get out grab your happiness while you can" she says so insistent "Promise me" she repeats "I promise" I say "What the hell is this mothers meeting it's quarter to eleven everyone will be arriving is the wireless set up" he bellows as he does "Oh calm down Eric it's all done" Mum snaps at him somehow shutting him up. he walks off and mum just winks and smiles at me

We all head into the main bar and right on time just before eleven they all pile up outside the door but something tells me that this would be a lunch time that would change our lives forever. I'm stood at the bar when Jimmy arrives with his family "Hello Phoebe love" His Mum says "Hello Mrs Flanagan" I say to her "How are you sweet cheeks" his Dad says "I'm well thanks" "Looking as stunning as ever Phoeb's" Jimmy's little brother Eddie shouts as Jimmy slaps him across the head jokingly of course "Pack it in you'll get a nose bleed" Jimmy tells him. "Hello you" Jimmy says quietly to me "Jimmy we need to talk" I say to him I have to tell him what Mum told me "Why whats wrong sweetie" he asks "Nothing's wrong we just need to talk" I tell him "OK after the broadcast Phoeb's yeah" he says "Will you sit with me" he asks "Yeah of course i just have to sort everyone's drinks" I tell him not giving a care if Dad or anyone else sees. Dad goes to the wireless and starts to find the right station as Jimmy goes to sit in the corner behind a table where we usually sit. I see Mum go and sit next to him and spot them talking but don't know what about.

Jimmy's Point Of View

"Jimmy son I need to talk to you" Phoebe's Mum says sitting next to me "Yes of course Mrs O'Connell" I say to her "Look I need to be quick about this but I know about you and Phoebe" she says oh my god "It's not what you think Mrs O'Connell I love her and we haven't done anything I swear" I whisper not wanting Eric to hear "I know lad I know so I'm asking you as her mother marry her make her happy I've got this feeling that we are all going to lead different lives from today and I need to know my Phoebe will be safe and happy if what I think is going to happen will happen we need to grab happiness while we can, her father has kept her locked away for too long I won't let him do it anymore but I need your help" she tells me "It would be my pleasure to marry her Mrs O'Connell" I start "Then do it as soon as possible, I've got money aside that he doesn't know about I'll help you on your way just take her from here before it's too late" she says with such urgency and I'm not able to get my words out "Just promise me Jimmy please" she begs "I promise" I say "Good boy" she says touching my cheek this was the last thing I was expecting.

Phoebe's Point Of View

I head and sit down in between Mum and Jimmy our usual table hides us so no one can see Jimmy take my hand into his although Mum can see so she comes to sit closer looking at us both. "Is your Mum alright Phoeb's" Jimmy asks "She knows" I whisper "I know she's just as good as given me her blessing" he says "We can't talk now Jimmy afterwards" I say to him "Here we go then folks lets see what he's got to say for himself" Dad shouts to everyone the room goes silent and all we can hear is the hiss of the wireless and then comes his voice

"I am Speaking to you from the Cabinet Room of Ten Downing Street

This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final

Note stating that, unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were

prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would

exist between us.

I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that

consequently this country is at war with Germany"

Oh my god no the words tear at my heart and I feel tears in my eyes Jimmy just grips my hand while we listen to the rest of the broadcast and smiles he mouths the words "I love you" to me "I love you too" I mouth back then Mum places her hands on ours with tears in her eyes. Everyone has gone so quiet some of the ladies are in tears it's hard to hold back my own then I feel Jimmy let go and wrap his arms around me "Jimmy" I say "I don't care Phoeb's let him do what he likes I just want to hold you" but I think Dad is that shocked that he doesn't say or do anything.

Once the speech is over no body says a word Jimmy grabs me by the arm and drags me out of the pub "Hey where the hell do you think you're going" Dad shouts and I hear Mum explode to him "For once Eric just leave her GO" she shouts "Jimmy what are you doing" I ask him "Phoeb's I can't wait any longer Jesus we don't know what will happen tomorrow or next week" he says as he gets down on his knees pulling a a sapphire ring out of his jacket pocket "Jimmy" I gasp "Phoebe I love you and I want to marry you please say you'll be my girl lets face this together as we both know we should" he asks and I just burst into tears "Marry me" he asks again "Yes, I will marry you Jimmy" as he picks me up in his arms we are both crying a mixture of happiness and fear what is going to happen to us where will we all end up I'm so scared please god if you do nothing else for me keep my Jimmy safe I'm nothing without him.